The Work and Pensions Secretary has a genuine belief in social mobility and is magnificently unabashed under fire.
Amidst the wreckage this morning, there are a few points of light. But that cackling noise you hear from Kensington is George Osborne laughing his head off.
It is hard to appoint more women to Cabinet when there are few senior women to promote. We count only four at Minister of State level.
The course consistent with this site’s recommendations is to appoint a more junior Cabinet Office Minister.
Then come Redwood and Tugendhat to make up the top five. Four of the top ten have been in the Commons for less than three years.
Many Tories will be glad to see her back on the frontbench. But her new job will exercise a different set of political muscles from her past role.
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The last ten surveys contain mixed news for all parties and some noteworthy results.
Plus: This week’s focus group in Wirral West on McVey, Sturgeon and Trident; and what would the party leaders be like as dinner guests?
Plus: Comforting Oborne in the Aegean. Rampant rabbits in the Lords. Lidders Agonistes. McVey’s moment. And: How two Labour MPs banged away in the rifle club.
The Shadow Chancellor normalises unacceptable behaviour and is contributing to making UK politics a much more unpleasant place.